Doctor of Nursing Practice

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program in the Department of Nursing (DoN) at St. Catherine University is a full-time doctoral program for registered nurses (RNs) who seek a practice-focused doctorate degree. The DoN is the largest academic department at St. Catherine University, a comprehensive, Catholic, liberal arts university that is inspired by a mission that "educates students to lead and influence” in baccalaureate, master’s and clinical doctoral programs to be leaders in nursing.

Program Description

Offering many unique and innovative options for students to select from, the DNP program prepares students in ethical leadership, social justice, interprofessional collaboration to improve population health, the knowledge of the discipline of nursing, informatics, evidence-based practice, organizational systems, healthcare economics and health policy. Hybrid courses meet the needs of the working adult, providing flexible learning experiences in the classroom and practicum settings.

Upon completion, students are prepared to improve healthcare outcomes among populations using evidenced-based practice innovations, shape healthcare policy, implement changes in healthcare practice at the systems level, and demonstrate evidence-based decision making related to healthcare outcomes for individuals and populations.

Practice-Focused Doctoral Education

The DNP degree is championed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, which has called for more highly educated nurses to meet the healthcare needs of a changing population.

Careers for DNP Graduates

DNPs can be expected to take on leadership roles in their specialty areas of practice, such as chief nursing executive, director of a primary care clinic, academic faculty or director of a system-wide quality improvement department. Additionally, DNPs are prepared and educated to practice in a variety of professional, academic and healthcare organizations.

Progression Policy

Requirements to Remain in Good Standing

Conditions for Probation

According to the DNP Student Policies, a Guided Improvement Plan is developed with students who do not meet the requirements to remain in good standing.

Removal from Probation

Students who satisfy the conditions of the written improvement plan, as determined by the faculty member, DNP Program Coordinator and the Assistant Dean for Graduate Nursing are removed from probation.

Conditions for Program Dismissal

Students who do not satisfy the conditions of the Guided Improvement Plan, as determined by the faculty member, DNP Program Coordinator, and the Assistant Dean for Graduate Nursing are dismissed from the program.

Admission requirements for the DNP Dual Degree options

A completed baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution

Cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher

BSN – DNP Admissions requirements:

A completed baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution

The baccalaureate nursing program (i.e., initial major or upper division, post-baccalaureate second major) or comparable master's-level program in which the nursing degree is awarded must be accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN, formerly NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher and a grade of not less than “B-“ in every nursing course. Applicants who do not meet these requirements should write a letter to the admission committee with rationale for an exception to the requirement. Admission would be on a provisional basis.

One year of experience in nursing

Admission requirements for the Nurse Practitioner DNP option

Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution

Baccalaureate nursing program or comparable master's level program in which the nursing degree is awarded must be accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

Undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and no grade less than "B-" in every nursing course